U.S. patent application number 16/343655 was filed with the patent office on 2019-09-12 for low profile nylon insert lock nut.
The applicant listed for this patent is RAMCO SPECIALTIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Mark S. BOYER, Daniel B. DONOVAN, Richard A. MALSON.
Application Number | 20190277329 16/343655 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62019595 |
Filed Date | 2019-09-12 |
![](/patent/app/20190277329/US20190277329A1-20190912-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20190277329/US20190277329A1-20190912-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20190277329/US20190277329A1-20190912-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20190277329/US20190277329A1-20190912-D00003.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20190277329 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BOYER; Mark S. ; et
al. |
September 12, 2019 |
LOW PROFILE NYLON INSERT LOCK NUT
Abstract
The present invention relates to prevailing torque lock nuts
and, more particularly, to a low profile lock nut that maintains
the same strength as its higher profile counterparts. The present
lock nut is a non-metallic lock having an inner recess so as to
receive a plastic insert, such as a nylon insert. In some
embodiments, the plastic insert is a temperature resistant plastic
insert capable of withstanding high temperatures. Further, in some
embodiments, the present lock nut is manufactured to have increased
hardness levels and subject to enhanced plating process that ensure
superior corrosion resistance.
Inventors: |
BOYER; Mark S.; (Hudson,
OH) ; MALSON; Richard A.; (Hudson, OH) ;
DONOVAN; Daniel B.; (Hudson, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
RAMCO SPECIALTIES, INC. |
Hudson |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62019595 |
Appl. No.: |
16/343655 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
October 19, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2017/057398 |
371 Date: |
April 19, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62410671 |
Oct 20, 2016 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C25D 7/003 20130101;
F16B 33/06 20130101; F16B 33/008 20130101; F16B 39/34 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16B 39/34 20060101
F16B039/34; F16B 33/00 20060101 F16B033/00; C25D 7/00 20060101
C25D007/00 |
Claims
1. A low profile lock nut comprising: a body having a plurality of
faces that extend upward from a bottom end of the body and
terminate at a neck that extends upward therefrom and terminates at
a top end of the body; a bore that extends through the body from
the top end to the bottom end, the bore further comprising: a
threaded portion that extends upward from the bottom end and
includes a plurality of threads and an unthreaded portion that
extends upward from the threaded portion and defines a recess that
laterally extends into the body; and an insert that is arranged in
the recess and includes an insert bore that aligns with the
threaded portion of the bore.
2. The low profile lock nut of claim 1, wherein the insert is a
nylon insert.
3. The low profile lock nut of claim 2, wherein the nylon insert
comprises a heat stabilized polyamide.
4. The low profile lock nut of claim 1, wherein the insert bore
includes a plurality of insert threads.
5. The low profile lock nut of claim 1, wherein the insert is ring
shaped.
6. The low profile lock nut of claim 1, wherein the lock nut has a
hardness of about HRc 33-39.
7. The low profile lock nut of claim 1, wherein the lock nut
conforms to ISO 898-2.
8. The low profile lock nut of claim 1, wherein the recess is an
annular recess.
9. The low profile lock nut of claim 1, wherein the threads are ISO
metric screw threads in the range of M6 to M18.
10. The low profile lock nut of claim 1, wherein the threaded
portion and the unthreaded portion of the bore are concentric.
11. The low profile lock nut of claim 10, wherein the threaded
portion of the bore and the insert bore are concentric.
12. The low profile lock nut of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
faces are arranged in a hexagonal nut configuration.
13. The low profile lock nut of claim 1, further comprising a
shoulder that interposes the neck and the plurality of faces.
14. The low profile lock nut of claim 13, wherein the unthreaded
portion of the bore corresponds with at least a portion of the
neck.
15. The low profile lock nut of claim 13, wherein the unthreaded
portion of the bore corresponds with the neck and at least part of
the shoulder.
16. The low profile lock nut of claim 13, wherein the unthreaded
portion of the bore corresponds with the neck, the shoulder, and at
least a portion of the plurality of faces.
17. A method of manufacturing a low profile lock nut, the method
comprising: providing a lock nut having an upwardly extending body
and a neck portion at an upper end of the body, the neck portion
being open at an upper end thereof, the lock nut further comprising
a bore that extends through the body, the bore having an unthreaded
portion that corresponds with at least the neck portion and defines
a recess that laterally extends into the body: applying a coating
to the lock nut; inserting an insert through the upper end of the
neck portion and into the recess; coining the upper end of the neck
portion to form a hooked lip; and applying a top coat to the lock
nut.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the coating is an
electroplating process.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the lock nut is subject to an
additional step following the step of applying a coating to the
lock nut, the additional step comprising baking the lock nut.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the top coat is a corrosion
resistant coating.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority to and the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/410,671 filed on
Oct. 20, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A nut is a type of fastener with a threaded hole. Nuts are
commonly used in conjunction with a mating bolt to fasten two or
more parts together. The two partners are kept together by a
combination of their threads' friction, stretching of the bolt, and
compression of the parts to be held together. There are three (3)
general categories of fastener nuts--(i) free spinning, (ii)
chemical locking, and (iii) friction locking. The free-spinning
varieties are nuts with a circumferential row of teeth under the
washer head. These are ramped, allowing the bolt to rotate in the
clamping direction, but lock into the bearing surface when rotated
in the loosening direction. The "Whizlock" is in this category. The
chemical locking category utilizes adhesives, such as Loctite,
which fill the gaps between the male and female threads, and bond
them together. Such adhesives are available in micro-encapsulated
form and can be pre-applied to the thread. Friction locking nuts
resist loosening under vibrations and torque via deformation of the
nut that, in turn, provides a locking action.
[0003] Nuts in the friction locking category are sometimes referred
to as lock nuts, locking nuts, prevailing torque nuts, stiff nuts,
or elastic stop nuts, and these lock nuts may be subdivided into
two (2) groups: (i) metallic and (ii) non-metallic. Both of these
varieties "lock" via elastic deformation of a portion of the nut
against the male thread, and the operational principle of both is
that the interference fit prevents relative lateral movement (which
is a contributor to loosening under vibration) in the threads
(i.e., prevents movement perpendicular to the thread axis).
[0004] The metallic friction locking fastener (i.e., a metallic
lock nut) usually has distorted threads that provide a prevailing
torque. This type of nut's thread is typically manufactured either
slightly out-of-round or undersize, necessitating elastic
deformation of the nut as it's threaded onto the male thread. An
example of this category is the "Philidas" nut. Metallic lock nuts,
however, may cause galling or coating damage.
[0005] Non-metallic friction locking devices (i.e., non-metallic
lock nuts) have polymer or plastic inserts (e.g., Nylon) that
provide a thread locking function. The deformation is caused by the
male thread impressing into the plastic insert as the plastic
passes over the male thread. In addition, non-metallic lock nuts
such as nylon lock nuts may provide a dampening function. One such
example of a non-metallic nylon lock nut is the "Nyloc" nut. These
non-metallic lock nuts, however, are significantly "taller" than
their metallic lock nut counterparts when measured from face end to
opposing face end. Moreover, the inserts of the non-metallic lock
nuts may have temperature constraints that limit their
application.
[0006] Prevailing torque is the amount of torque needed to run a
nut down a thread on nuts that are designed to resist
self-loosening under vibratory forces. The concept of prevailing
torque differentiates a lock nut from a free-spinning nut based on
a value of how much torque is required during installation before
clamp loading. For example, on a nylon insert nut, prevailing
torque is the torque needed to overcome the resistance of the nylon
dragging across the mating thread. This torque value is usually not
very high relative to final drive torque that clamps or tightens
the nut to its counterpart. Tolerance ranges for torque are
specified in some standards such as ISO, DIN, IFI, ASME, SAE, AN-,
MS-, NAS-NASM-.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Presently disclosed is a lock nut. In one embodiment, a lock
nut comprises a body having a plurality of faces that extend upward
from a bottom end of the body and terminate at a neck that extends
upward therefrom and terminates at a top end of the body. The lock
nut also includes a bore that extends through the body from the top
end to the bottom end. In this embodiment, the bore further
comprises a threaded portion that extends upward from the bottom
end and includes a plurality of threads and an unthreaded portion
that extends upward from the threaded portion and defines a recess
that laterally extends into the body. Moreover in this embodiment,
the lock nut also includes an insert that is arranged in the recess
and includes an insert bore that aligns with the threaded portion
of the bore.
[0008] In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a low
profile lock nut is provided. In such embodiment, the method
includes providing a lock nut having an upwardly extending body and
a neck portion at an upper end of the body, where the neck portion
is open at an upper end thereof, and where the lock nut further
comprises a bore that extends through the body such that the bore
includes an unthreaded portion that corresponds with at least the
neck portion and defines a recess that laterally extends into the
body. The method further includes applying a coating to the lock
nut, inserting an insert through the upper end of the neck portion
and into the recess, coining the upper end of the neck portion to
form a hooked lip, and applying a top coat to the lock nut.
[0009] These and additional features provided herein will be more
fully understood in view of the following detailed description in
conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The following figures are included to illustrate certain
aspects of the present disclosure and should not be viewed as
exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of
considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and
equivalents in form and function without departing from the scope
of this disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a partial cutaway side view of an example lock nut
that may incorporate the principles of the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2 is illustration of the lock nut of FIG. 1 without the
insert and depicts the orientation of the recess therein.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway side view of the lock nut of
FIG. 1 that depicts the orientation of the insert within the
recess.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a top view of the lock nut of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the lock nut of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The present disclosure is related to lock nuts and, more
particularly, to lock nuts with inserts that assist in locking the
lock nuts.
[0017] FIGS. 1-5 are various views of a lock nut 10 that may
incorporate the principles of the present disclosure. The
illustrated lock nut 10 has a hexagonal geometry and is just one
exemplary lock nut that may suitably incorporate the principles of
the present disclosure. Indeed, many alternative designs,
geometries, and configurations of the lock nut 10 may be employed
without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, the lock nut 10 is a mixed
material lock nut having an insert that may be made from a polymer
or plastic material (i.e., a metallic nut with a nylon insert). In
addition, the lock nut 10 has a body height (i.e., a wrench height)
that is same or nearly identical to the body height (and thus
wrenching height) of a comparable class of metallic lock nut (e.g.,
hex nut height for property class (PC) 10). In one embodiment, the
lock nut 10 has the characteristics of a PC 10 steel hexagonal nut
variety as specified in ISO 898-2. In addition, the lock nut 10 may
conform to ISO 8992 Product. Grade A. It will be appreciated,
however, that other types of nuts may be utilized depending on the
particular application (e.g., acorn nuts, wing nuts, square nuts,
nut/washer assemblies, etc.). Moreover, it will be appreciated that
lock nut 10 may be manufactured from any number of materials
depending on the particular application, including but not limited
to metals (e.g., steel, titanium, iron, etc.) and/or non-metals
(e.g., carbon, carbon fiber, ceramic, etc.).
[0019] In some embodiments, the lock nut 10 is subject to a
quenching and tempering heat treatment process that makes its
components/parts particularly hard and tough, which in turn
increases the applications in which the lock nut 10 may be
utilized. Thus, the lock nut 10 may be utilized in severe
conditions. For example, in one embodiment the lock nut 10 has a
hardness in the range of about. HRc 33-39; however, other
hardnesses may be implemented depending on the particular
application.
[0020] The lock nut 10, according to the present disclosure, has a
prevailing torque that may vary depending on the materials utilized
and the particular end use application. For example, the lock nut
10 may have a geometry and prevailing torque of ISO 7043. In
addition, the lock nut 10 may be provided to meet the performance
and testing requirements of ISO 2320 (which specifies the
prevailing torque requirements). For example, ISO 2320 specifies
that the lock nut 10 should be capable of being reused five (5)
times but still retain a prevailing torque. Accordingly, the lock
nut 10 according to one or more embodiments may be reusable, at
least to some extent.
[0021] With reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 4-5, the lock nut 10
comprises opposing ends. In the illustrated embodiment, the lock
nut 10 includes a circular top end 11 and flanged and circular
bottom end 11'; however, other geometries (and/or combinations of
geometries) of the ends may be utilized, for example, depending
upon the style of lock nut selected. The lock nut 10 further
comprises a nut body 12 having a portion 12' that is adapted to be
received by a tool (e.g., a socket or wrench) and a concentric neck
extension 14 (or neck 14) that are interposed by a shoulder 15. In
the illustrated embodiment, the portion 12' of the nut body 12
includes six (6) vertically oriented faces arranged in a hexagonal
nut configuration that may be received by an appropriately
dimensioned tool driver having a corresponding geometry. Also in
the illustrated embodiment, the neck extension 14 begins at
circular end face 11, extends downward along an axis A-A towards
the face end 11', and terminates at a location therebetween, for
example, at the shoulder 15 that interposes the neck extension 14
and the portion 12' of the nut body 12 that is adapted to be
received by a tool. It will be appreciated, however, that other
orientations and dimensions may be utilized when positioning neck
extension 14. For example, in some embodiments, the neck extension
14 may be taller or shorter (along axis A-A) relative to the
portion 12' and/or the portion 12' of the nut body 12 may be taller
or shorter relative to the neck extension 14.
[0022] The lock nut 10 also includes a central bore 13 that extends
axially through the length of lock nut 10 along the axis A-A. In
the illustrated embodiment, the central bore 13 includes internal
threads 18 that are formed within at least a portion of the central
bore 13, as hereinafter described. The internal threads 18 are
sometimes referred to as the "nut thread" or "female thread," and
in at least some embodiments the internal threads 18 are cut or
formed in the central bore 13 as will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art.
[0023] The threads 18 may be of any standard size. For example, the
threads 18 may be any of the M6 thread size through the M18 thread
size standards. It will be appreciated, however, that other "M"
designation thread sizes may be utilized other than those in the M6
to M18 range. In one particular application, the threads 18 conform
to General Motors (GM) Specification GMW 16551. In other
embodiments, the threads 18 conform to any of the British thread
standards, such as the British Standard Whitworth. In some of these
other embodiments, threads 18 are about 1/4'' to 3/4'' English
thread sizes; however, others may be utilized. The manner in which
threads 18 are arranged within the central bore 13 of the nut body
12 is detailed below.
[0024] The central bore 13 may include different sections or bore
portions. As illustrated in FIG. 2, for example, the central bore
13 may include (i) a threaded bore portion 16 that extends through
a length of the central bore 13 along axis A-A and includes the
threads 18 and (ii) an unthreaded bore portion 16' that extends
through a remaining length of the central bore 13 along axis A-A.
Here, the threaded bore portion 16 is oriented below the unthreaded
bore portion 16'. In the illustrated embodiment, the unthreaded
bore portion 16' corresponds with the neck extension 14 (which is
proximate to the face end 11), the shoulder 15, and at least an
upper segment of the portion 12' of the nut body 12 that receives a
tool. In other unillustrated embodiments, however, the unthreaded
bore portion 16' corresponds with the neck extension 14, but
terminates at a top or bottom of the shoulder 15. It will also be
appreciated that in other embodiments, the unthreaded bore portion
16' may be arranged differently within the central bore 13. For
example, it may be arranged at a location along the axis A-A
between the face ends 11,11' such that the threaded bore portion 16
is divided into two (2) bore portions (i.e., having equal or
unequal lengths). In even other embodiments, two (2) or more
unthreaded bore portions 16' may be arranged within the central
bore 13 such that the threaded bore portion 16 is divided into two
(2) or more bore portions (having equal or unequal lengths).
[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the unthreaded bore portion 16'
defines a recess 26 that has a larger bore diameter than that of
the threaded bore portion 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the
recess 26 is an annularly shaped cavity or socket that is arranged
to receive or accommodate a locking device or an insert 30, and
such insert is further described below. Accordingly, the recess 26
is bounded along its outer circumference by an offset bore wall 20,
and is bounded on the bottom and top by a shoulder wall 22 and an
inner wall of the hooked lip 24, respectively. Here, the offset
bore wall 20 is offset towards the exterior of lock nut body 12
with respect to axis A-A, and the amount of such offset defines the
outer diameter of the recess 26, as well as the lateral lengths
(i.e., perpendicular to the axis A-A) of the shoulder wall and
hooked lip 24. As illustrated, the shoulder wall 22 may mark or
define a first boundary of the unthreaded bore portion 16', whereas
the inner wall of the hooked lip 24 may define the other boundary
of the unthreaded bore portion 16'.
[0026] Also in the illustrated embodiment, the recess 26 (that does
not include the threads 18) overlaps (i.e., corresponds with) both
the neck extension 14 and the body portion 12' that is arranged to
receive a tool. Accordingly, the threads 18 need not be not formed
within the entirety of nut body 12 or even within the entirety of
the portion 12' that is adapted to be received by a tool. However,
in other embodiments, the recess 26 does not overlap into the body
portion 12' that is arranged to receive a tool, but instead
corresponds only with the neck extension 14 and/or the shoulder
15.
[0027] In one embodiment, the recess 26 is formed by an extrusion
process. For example, the nut body 12 may be extruded to form the
recess 26 so that it axially extends into the portion 12' of the
nut body 12 that is received by the a tool (e.g., a wrench). While
a nut lock 10 manufactured via the foregoing process may have less
threads 18 within its central bore 13 than other conventional nut
locks, it may nevertheless operate in high load/stress applications
by having enhanced property characteristics, for example, increased
hardness. It will be appreciated, however, that the foregoing is a
nonlimiting example and that other methods may be utilized to form
recess 26, for example, by machining.
[0028] The recess 26 may have varying dimensions and geometries
depending on the ultimate end use application. For example, the
recess 26 may be taller and/or may extend further down within the
central bore 13 than as illustrated. Thus, the insert 30 may be
positioned at various recess locations along the central bore 13
depending on the dimensions, geometry, and/or location (along axis
A-A) of recess 26.
[0029] In an illustrated embodiment, the insert 30 is a nylon
washer (or annular disc) manufactured independent of nut body 12
utilizing a heat stabilized polyamide 46 that is suitable for high
temperature applications in the operating range of about
-50.degree. C. to 160.degree. C. Various manufacturing methods may
be utilized to manufacture the insert 30, for example, molding or
stamping. It will be appreciated that other insert materials may be
utilized to aid in locking a fastener (e.g., a screw or bolt)
received within the lock nut 10, for example, Nylon 6.6 or any
number of other polymers. It will be appreciated, however, that the
selection of any such material may depend on the various
constraints and parameters of the end use application. In one
embodiment, the insert 30 is inserted into the recess 26 and then
the end face 11 is coined over to form the hooked lip 24 as
illustrated; however, other methods of positioning and/or fixing
the insert 30 into or within the recess 26 may be utilized, for
example, by press-fitting insert 30 into the recess 26.
[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the insert 30 comprises an inner
bore 32 and, in at least some embodiments, the inner bore 32
diameter is smaller than the major diameter of threads 18 but
larger than the minor diameter of the threads 18. Thus, when the
lock nut 10 is screwed on a bolt (not depicted), the bolt threads
(not depicted) impress threads (not illustrated) in the insert
30.
[0031] The insert 30 may be ring or annular in shape and thus
include a correspondingly shaped top and bottom surface 34,35, as
well as an outer circumferential surface 38. In the illustrated
embodiment, the top and bottom surfaces 34,35 include central
openings that together define an insert bore or central opening 40
is in alignment with the central bore 13, and in some embodiments,
the insert bore 40 is coaxial with the central bore 13 and/or the
threaded bore portion 16. In addition, the top and bottom surfaces
34,35 may be oriented substantially perpendicular to axis A-A to
engage the inner wall of the hooked lip 24 and the shoulder wall
22, respectively, when the insert 30 is installed within the recess
26, whereas the outer circumferential surface 38 engages the offset
wall 20 when the insert 30 is installed within the recess 26. Thus,
the insert 30 is held in place within the recess 26 by the offset
wall 20, the hooked lip 24, and the shoulder wall 22; and in some
embodiments, the insert 30 is locked or secured within the recess
26 so as to not move or rotate relative to the nut body 12 or
otherwise loosen. In even other embodiments, adhesives are utilized
to further secure the insert 30 within the recess 26 such that it
does not move or rotate relative to the nut body 12. In other
embodiments, one or more protrusions (or other mechanical fastener
structures) are formed on any or all of the top and bottom surfaces
34,35 or the outer circumferential surface 38 that engage the
insert 30 to prevent or restrict relative movement.
[0032] In some embodiments, the insert 30 has an annular protrusion
or crown (not illustrated) at the circular face end 11 when the
hooked lip 24 is formed or coined. In such embodiments, the crown
may extend axially along axis A-A above or beyond the offset wall
20 and hooked lip 24 so as to protrude from the face end 11 of lock
nut 10. During use of such a lock nut with a crown, the crown may
fold outwardly upon itself and provide additional locking
capabilities. In addition, the crown may provide a sealing function
so as to inhibit any fluid escaping beyond face end 11.
[0033] In one embodiment, lock nut 10 (without the insert 30
therein) is subject to a coating and finishing process. In that
embodiment, the surfaces of nut body 12 are coated, for example,
with electroplated zinc-nickle (ZiNi) which will provide protection
against corrosion. In one specific example, the nut body 12 is
electroplated with ZiNi, Type B, Grade G (GMW 4700; ZinKlad 1000;
SST 240/1000). Other coatings may be utilized, however, as
appreciated by those skilled in the art. Thereafter, the nut body
12 is subject to a baking process after coating so as to relieve
hydrogen embrittlement (e.g., as specified in GMW 4700 or GMW
4707). The foregoing coating and finishing process may be performed
on any surface of nut body 12 and, in an illustrated embodiment,
all surfaces of the lock nut body 12 are electroplated as
previously described, including surfaces between insert 30 and the
nut body 12 such as inner surfaces of offset wall 20, shoulder wall
22, and hooked lip 24. Therefore, nut body 12 may be subject to the
coating and finishing process before insert 30 is installed and
secured therein via the coining process; however, in other
embodiments, the nut body 12 with insert therein are subject to the
foregoing coating and finishing processes. It will also be
appreciated that when the coining process is utilized, the hooked
lip 24 may be provided in an unhooked or unformed orientation
(i.e., it extends vertically in an unfolded orientation to define
an open circular or cylindrical structure, rather than being hooked
or folded inwardly), and then coined over into the formed or hooked
orientation, for example, as illustrated with regard to the hooked
lip 24 depicted in the figures.
[0034] In embodiments where the foregoing coating and finishing
process are performed before the insert 30 is installed in recess
26 and secured therein (e.g., by coining end face 11), a separate
top coat may thereafter be applied to nut body 12 so as to ensure
the entirety of nut body 12 is fully coated, as the coining process
may remove previously applied coating. The top coat may be any
corrosion-resistant top coat known in the art, for example, those
produced by The Magni Group or Darken MKS. In another embodiment,
the top coat is a UV fluid top coat such as those manufactured by
MacDermid Industrial Solutions or Teflon.RTM.. Furthermore, all
surfaces of nut body 12 may be finished to be free of burrs, laps,
cracks, seams, voids, flashing, or other discontinuities, which may
inhibit assembly, safe handling, appearance, and function. For
example, all surfaces of nut body 12 may conform to ISO 6157-2.
While optional, the foregoing coating and finishing processes
provide enhanced protection against corrosion and provide broad
applicability of lock nut 10.
[0035] The foregoing manufacturing and assembly protocols may
provide a metal lock nut 10 with a plastic-type insert 30 therein,
wherein the lock nut 10 has a reduced height that matches that of a
conventional all metallic lock nut (i.e., an all metal prevailing
torque nut or metallic friction locking fastener). Thus, the lock
nut 10, according to the present disclosure, may have the same (and
even improved) locking and operational characteristics of a
standard nylon lock nut (e.g., a PC-10 nylon lock nut), but with
the smaller dimensions (i.e., reduced height/profile and weight)
that are similar to those of conventional metallic lock nuts.
Accordingly, the lock nut 10 may be provided with the standard
wrenching height of an all metal prevailing torque nut despite the
fact that it is instead a nonmetallic lock nut. Unlike metallic
lock nuts, however, the lock nut 10 may be reusable in the same
manner as standard nylon lock nuts. Even further, the lock nut 10
may be screwed onto a fastener such as a bolt without removing the
coating (if any) therefrom as would the all metal lock nut variety
due to the manner in which it locks (i.e, via deformation).
Instead, the lock nut 10 of the present disclosure will enhance the
overall joint corrosion characteristics and performance during
actual use. For example, a lock nut 10 manufactured as detailed
above will be able to resist corrosion to the same extent as
metallic lock nuts despite the process used to install a
nonmetallic insert therein. Moreover, lock nut 10 will have
increased hardness, thereby permitting lock nut 10 to have fewer
threads 18 than comparable standard nonmetallic lock nuts, but
nevertheless maintain the requisite proof load capabilities so as
to perform similar in accord with a standard nylon lock nut.
[0036] While principles and modes of operation have been explained
and illustrated with regard to particular embodiments, it must be
understood, however, that this may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its
spirit or scope. Therefore, the disclosed systems and methods are
well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as
those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments
disclosed above are illustrative only, as the teachings of the
present disclosure may be modified and practiced in different but
equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the
benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are
intended to the details of construction or design herein shown,
other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore
evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed
above may be altered, combined, or modified and all such variations
are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. The
systems and methods illustratively disclosed herein may suitably be
practiced in the absence of any element that is not specifically
disclosed herein and/or any optional element disclosed herein.
While compositions and methods are described in terms of
"comprising," "containing," or "including" various components or
steps, the compositions and methods can also "consist essentially
of" or "consist of" the various components and steps. All numbers
and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever a
numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed,
any number and any included range falling within the range is
specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of
the form, "from about a to about b," or, equivalently, "from
approximately a to b," or, equivalently, "from approximately a-b")
disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and
range encompassed within the broader range of values. Also, the
terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless
otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover,
the indefinite articles "a" or "an," as used in the claims, are
defined herein to mean one or more than one of the elements that it
introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or
term in this specification and one or more patent or other
documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the
definitions that are consistent with this specification should be
adopted.
[0037] The use of directional terms such as above, below, upper,
lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral and the like are used
in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in
the figures, the upward or upper direction being toward the top of
the corresponding figure and the downward or lower direction being
toward the bottom of the corresponding figure.
[0038] As used herein, the phrase "at least one of" preceding a
series of items, with the terms "and" or "or" to separate any of
the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of
the list (i.e., each item). The phrase "at least one of" allows a
meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or
at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one
of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases "at least one
of A, B, and C" or "at least one of A, B, or C" each refer to only
A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at
least one of each of A, B, and C.
[0039] As used herein, the terms "about" and "approximately" mean
plus or minus 15% of the numerical value of the number with which
it is being used. Therefore, "about 40" (or "approximately 40")
means "in the range of 34 to 46." It is also noted that the terms
"generally" and "substantially" may be used herein to represent the
inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any
quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other
representation. These terms are also used herein to represent the
degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a
stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic
function of the subject matter at issue.
* * * * *